node vs nodemon: What are the differences?

**Introduction:**
Node and Nodemon are both tools used in Node.js development to run JavaScript applications, but they have key differences that set them apart.

1. **File Monitoring:**
Node does not have built-in file monitoring capabilities, so whenever there are changes to the files, you need to manually stop and restart the Node process to see the changes take effect. On the other hand, Nodemon is a tool that monitors for any changes in the files and automatically restarts the server, saving developers time and effort.

2. **Development vs Production:**
Node is typically used in production environments where the server needs to run constantly without any interruptions. Nodemon, however, is more suitable for development environments where frequent code changes are made and the server needs to be restarted regularly to reflect these changes instantly.

3. **Command Line Usage:**
When using Node, you need to run your JavaScript application by typing out the node command followed by the name of the file. Nodemon simplifies this process by automatically restarting the server every time there is a change in the file, so you do not need to manually stop and start the server every time you make a change.

4. **Error Handling:**
Node does not provide automatic error detection or recovery mechanisms, requiring developers to manually manage exceptions that may occur during runtime. Nodemon, on the other hand, helps in handling errors by automatically restarting the application in case of crashes, providing a more seamless development experience.

5. **Hot Reloading:**
In Node, to see the changes made in the code, the server needs to be stopped and started again. Nodemon supports hot reloading, which allows developers to see the changes instantly without the need to restart the server manually, providing a more efficient workflow during development.

6. **Installation and Setup:**
Installing and setting up Node is straightforward as it is an essential part of the Node.js environment, but Nodemon needs to be installed separately using a package manager like npm. Additionally, developers need to remember to use Nodemon specifically when running their applications to take advantage of its file monitoring features.

In Summary, Node and Nodemon differ in file monitoring capabilities, usage in development vs production environments, command line usage, error handling, support for hot reloading, and installation and setup processes.